ISLAMABAD / CHICAGO — In a major push to modernize Pakistan’s medical infrastructure, Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, held a high-level meeting with the leadership of the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) to establish a comprehensive academic and healthcare partnership.
The bilateral discussions focused heavily on linking UIC’s medical faculty with key Pakistani institutions, including the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute (PKLI) and the upcoming Jinnah Medical Complex & Research Centre (JMCRC).
Key Highlights of the Partnership
- Robotic Surgery Transfer: PKLI President Prof. Dr. Saeed Akhtar joined the meeting virtually to align on integrating UIC’s globally recognized expertise in robotic surgery into Pakistan’s healthcare system.
- Medical Knowledge Corridor: The two sides discussed expanding the US-Pak Knowledge Corridor to include medical sciences, paving the way for joint research, surgical training, and faculty/student exchange programs.
- Global Blueprints: UIC shared its successful Brazilian model of integrated healthcare and medical education to serve as a foundational blueprint for the operational design of the JMCRC.
Minister Ahsan Iqbal reiterated Pakistan’s proven track record in executing large-scale academic partnerships, pointing to the success of the Pakistan-USEFP Fulbright Programme as a model for future human capital development. UIC leadership expressed strong enthusiasm for the initiative, promising continued institutional engagement.
